Pine Bugs and .303s is the story of two families in Northwestern Ontario. Elmer Wabason, a Cree man and Gilbert Bertrand, a white man grew up three miles apart. Until World War II they had never met. The town and the reserve are separated by the newly named Trans-Canada Highway. A fast-paced story uncovering the bond of soldiers, the strength of women, the impact of racism and resilience. The families endure disaster, deceit and corruption. They achieve many firsts even though the odds seem stacked against them at almost every turn. The search for justice takes them to a pivotal trial in 1965.

Ernie Louttit is a retired soldier and police officer, and has written three books, Indian Ernie: Perspectives on Leadership and Policing , More Indian Ernie, Insights from the Streets, and The Unexpected Cop: Indian Ernie on a Life of Leadership. Winner of the Saskatchewan Book Award in 2014 and the Reveal Indigenous Arts Award in 2017. Pine Bugs and 303's is his debut novel. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Ernie Louttit's profile page

Louttit's taut narrative, and plot twists, masterfully build outrage and tension for the reader- like a .303 in the hands of a nefarious foe, or a pine bug crawling up one's neck. A great read you won't want to put down.

David Giuliano, author of The Undertaking of Billy Buffone

Louttit's plotting is credible, clear, logical, detailed and devastating. . . Pine Bugs and .303s is his first novel. It is an important novel, grounded in the history of Northwestern Ontario and our diverse cultures. Highly recommended.

Michael Sobota, reviewer in Thunder Bay's The Chronicle Journal

Louttit's debut shows promise, and he takes us back to a past we've seen many times, but rarely through both a Cree and white perspective. The book covers some dark material, showing the ugliness of a hard life, but offers a glimpse of a Canadian history not glamorized by quaint, CBC period programs.

The Quarantine Review, Issue 14